Dienstag, 14. Februar 2012

Is there a connection between Fukushima Nuclear fallout and excess deaths of 14'000 in the U.S ? Renowned nuclear expert Joe Mangano and Janette Sherman, toxicologist and contributing editor of the 2009 New York Academy of Sciences "Chernobyl, Consequences for People and Environment" says yes there is, and it's comparable to the excess rates of U.S deaths from Chernobyl Furthermore Dr. Sherman told me that "the deaths from Fukushima will be greater than from Chernobyl" and that "the young will be adversely effected by the radiation - their immune and detoxification systems are not fully formed and operational, and based upon their small body weights, they receive a proportionally larger dose of radioisotopes than do adults."* This could explain the excess death rates of young infants in the U.S in the weeks following the Fukushima incident. The 18 page document published by Mangano & Sherman closes on this discussion:

"The Fukushima meltdowns, and the introduction of radioactivity across the

globe, indicate that accurate measurements are needed on subsequent changes in

environmental radioactivity and in health status. In the United States, there have

been limitations in both measures. Radioactivity samples in precipitation, air,

water, and milk were sporadically reported by the Environmental Protection

Agency. Many measurements failed to produce detectable levels, and on May 3,

2011, the agency reverted to its policy of making only quarterly measurements.

Some elevated concentrations were found to be up to several hundred times the

norm soon after the arrival of the Fukushima fallout, but no meaningful temporal

trends and spatial patterns can be discerned from these data.

Few aggregate data on health status are available until several years after a

death or specific diagnosis. Immediately after Fukushima, the only nationwide

health status data available in the United States were weekly deaths by age

reported by 122 U.S. cities (about 25% to 35% of all U.S. deaths), as reported

by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the 14 weeks after the

Fukushima fallout arrived in the United States, total deaths reported were

4.46 percent above the same period in 2010; in the 14 weeks before Fukushima,

the increase from the prior year was just 2.34 percent. The gap in changes for

Altough this is by far not a finished study, it gives disturbing and inconveniant hints that even low-level radiation doses cause serious health problems. The whole study can be read here:Mangano & Sherman Study

We spoke with Stéphane L'Homme, longtime the figurehead of French coordinated anti-nuclear action. Stéphane told us about Fukushima, the European Stresstests and Cattenom. He presides over the "Observatoire du Nucléaire, France"

Nearly one year after the Fukushima incident, the situation in Japan is still very severe. How do you evaluate the situation?

In Ukraineand Belarus,the countries mostcontaminatedbytheChernobyl nuclear disaster(April 26, 1986), Japanis onlythe beginningof atragedy whose consequenceswill worsenover the years.Millions ofpeople are affected byradioactivity andpopulation healthwill deterioratefor decades. Already,just a yearafter the startof the disaster,some studies show that"30% of children inFukushimawould presentsignificantthyroid lesions"(cfhttp://bit.ly/zEnZUF). Furthermore,thereactor coresare stillunevenfusion, radioactivityis continuouslyreleased into the environment,andaworseningof the drama is unfortunatelystill possible...In France, many nuclear stations are built in seismic areas. What is the real risque of these power plants in an eventual case of seismic activity?

The seismic risk is lower in France, but the French plants are less resistant: they were built from their theoretical seismic risk. So that, finally, the risk of a nuclear accident in France following an earthquake is as important as in Japan! If the epicentrer of an earthquake is very close to a French central, this can result in a serious situation. even comparable to Fukushima. Not to mention the countless other possible causes: design errors, maintenance, operation, etc.

What do you think of the "stress tests" performed in Europe as a reaction to Fukushima? In most cases, the expert only propose gargantuan investments?

These "tests" have downplayed risks in a nauseating way, in order to protect the continuation of the nuclear industry. For example, the French safety authority has obtained the risk of plane crashes is not taken into account: indeed, no central French would not resist! However, a number of measures "Post Fukushima" were announced, as for instance the introduction for every reactor of a "bunkered" emergency engine and one place higher above.Once that is done, in many years, this will not necessarily ensure safety (zero risk does not exist!), But this case demonstrates the incompetence of the people who operate nuclear power. So we were very lucky so far.

As a Luxembourger, we always look with mixed feelings toward Cattenom and Fessenheim, what can you tell us about these NPPs*? (nuclear power plants)

Both plantsare just as dangerousas the others,with some peculiarities: Fessenheimis the oldest,Cattenomone of the strongest...There istherefore something to beworriedbut we must understandthat anuclear catastrophe, evenif it takes placein the Southof France, would contaminateLuxembourgandthroughout Europe!

Recently in the "International Cancer Journal", a new study revealed that there is a link between child leukemia rates being higher around NPPs. Nuclear Power is thus not only harmful during an accident but also a serious health risk even if there's no accident?

Fukushima has reanimated many anti-nuclear movements around the world. Even in France, the nuclear issue seems to be adressed for the first time in a French Election campaign. So the question remains, when will we see a nuclear-free France?

The nuclear issueisactuallydiscussed,finally,butstopping nuclear powerseems unfortunatelyunlikely: The biggest pro-nuclear lobbyis at the topof the state,at the headof the main partiesatthe directionof the majormedia.It seems that onlyaFrench Fukushimawould changethesepeople to recognize...thatthis can happen.As for the population, they aretorn betweenthe realityof the drama ofFukushimaand pronuclearofficialpropaganda,and is concernedratheritsimmediate problems such asunemployment, insecurity...In summary,there isunfortunatelyverymuch to bepessimistic.

Good Night, and Good Luck!

Human-, Environmental-, and Animal-rights activist. Now Specializing in Nuclear Issues.
Former Spokesperson Luxembourg Young Greens 2006-2012
Former Member Executive Committee Luxembourg Green Party
Executive Committee Member FYEG - Federation of Young European Greens 2012 - now